Page 56 of Alpha's Runaway Mate

Panic seized my heart, a cold grip that gave way to something fiercer, hotter. The thought of Thane killing my son ignited a strength deep within me. Something fierce and unyielding rose within me. And with a howl, I unleashed it all. My magic burst forth, and I launched myself at him with everything I had.

But he had gone before me, and he was quicker. He struck before I could stop him. Thane’s claw ripped through the air slashing toward Leo. Before they could connect, Kaine surged forward, shoving Leo aside, and driving the silver dagger straight into Thane’s chest.

A guttural roar erupted from Thane as he twisted, sinking his claws deep into Kaine’s chest in retaliation.

“No!” The word tore through me, raw and full of rage. Summoning every ounce of power, I hurled Thane into the air, and with a furious cry, I slammed him back down with a force that made the earth tremble. I didn’t stop. Blinded by rage,I lunged at him, my claws tearing into his chest. Deeper and deeper, I dug, until my hand found his heart, beating weakly under my grip.

Even then, on the verge of death, he had the audacity to smirk. Blood bubbled at his lips as he wheezed. “At least I took something from you, Lyra,” he said, his voice dripping with malice and mockery.

Anger exploded in me, sharp and consuming, and with one final decisive motion, I ripped his heart free from his chest, ending the terror that was Thane Blackwood.

A deep, guttural howl tore from my throat, echoing through the battlefield. The Blackwoods, seeing their fallen Alpha, stilled, their gazes fixed on Thane’s unmoving form. One by one, they faltered, their resolve crumbling, until they turned and retreated, disappearing into the shadows of the night.

Bloodied, I collapsed to my knees, my breath ragged, my body exhausted. My gaze shifted to Kaine, lying just a few feet away, and my heart seized at the sight of him, so still, so pale. He was barely moving, barely breathing. I crawled my way to Kaine, and when I reached him, I laced my bloodied fingers in his, tears spilling freely from my face. His eyes fluttered open at my touch, dull and distant, but they softened when they met mine.

“Stay with me, Kaine,” I sobbed, my voice breaking as I cupped his face with trembling hands.

His lips parted, but no words came out, just a pained groan as he struggled to lift his hand. I caught it, guiding it to my cheek, where his thumb brushed weakly against my skin.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my tears falling onto his face, “for all the years I spent trying to hate you, for not understanding. I see it now—why you did what you did, and I want to make up for all the years we’ve spent apart,” my voice quivered as I leaned closer. “So please, Kaine…stay with me.”

A faint, broken smile touched his lips, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Lyra…”

“I’m right here,” I choked out, holding him tighter as if I could keep him tethered to my world—our world.

But the smile faded, and his fingers grazed my face one last time before they fell limp in my grasp. His chest rose, then stilled, and his eyes closed as his lips mouthed words that I didn’t want to believe were his last.

“I love you.”

Chapter Twenty-Six — Lyra’s POV

“How is he doing now?”

I stepped back into Kaine’s room when I saw Salome exit alone. About an hour ago, when she had arrived, she’d insisted I leave while she worked. I’d reluctantly obeyed, swallowing my pride—there was a far more crucial matter at hand. Though she hadn’t said a word, I could feel her silent judgment, her eyes accusing me of what had happened to Kaine and the pack.

“He’s healing,” the healer responded without glancing at me as she focused solely on folding and stowing her equipment in her bag.

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Kaine had been in critical condition when we returned to the pack this morning. I’d summoned the healer immediately, but his injuries, laced with magic, were beyond her expertise. She’d suggested calling Salome, and without hesitation, I did.

“She administered a potion to slow the spread of silver in his system and aid his healing,” the healer continued, her tone softening as she finished organizing her things. “But he still needs time. It’s going to be slow, but he’ll recover.”

A faint smile tugged at my lips, but it was hollow, forced. I nodded in acknowledgment, but my heart wasn’t at ease. Kaine was strong—stronger than anyone knew. But until he opened his eyes and spoke to me again, I wouldn’t allow myself to stop worrying. Not for a second.

“What about you?” Her question broke through my thoughts, and I reluctantly pulled my gaze away from Kaine’s to meet hers. “How’s your wound?”

I lifted my shirt slowly, exposing the stitches in my stomach, which had almost completely healed. “All better,” I answered softly, offering her a grateful smile. “Thanks to you.”

She nodded, her lips curving into a small smile. “Good. I’ll come by tomorrow. But if he wakes before then, send for me.”

“I will. Thank you.”

She turned to leave, but I didn’t watch her go. Instead, I slipped myself into the chair beside Kaine’s bed, the cool metal pressing into my skin as I settled into it. The room felt quiet, too still, with only the rhythmic sound of his shallow breathing breaking the silence.

Leaning forward, I assessed his face. He looked pale and drawn. Beads of sweat slicked his forehead, and damp hair clung to his skin, a visible sign of the dark magic coursing through his veins. My gaze trailed lower to his chest, and my heart dropped at the sight of the deep scars and stitches that marked his skin.

A lump formed in my throat as I thought about the hell he’d endured in the last forty-eight hours. First, the fight with the wolf Hecate had sent after him. Then his confrontation with Dominic, defending his claim to the Alpha position. And despite it all—despite the blood and the pain—he still came for me. For Leo and I.

I reached out, my fingers hovering just above the jagged claw marks carved into his chest. My breath caught in my throat astears burned the back of my eyes. I couldn’t lose him. Not like this. Not without telling him everything I had left unsaid.

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